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Abstract:

The invention relates to an arrangement for conveying concrete for the
construction of multi-storey concrete buildings. The arrangement
comprises a concrete-distributing mast which is height-adjustable on
completed parts of the building, for example on storey floors (48', 48'',
48'''), the mast comprising a supporting column (10), a rotary unit (12)
and an arm assembly (14) preferably designed as an articulated boom, and
the mast being equipped with a conveying line (16) which is guided over
the height of the supporting column (10) to the arm assembly (14) and
which is supplied with liquid concrete. To facilitate the handling of the
concrete-distributing mast during transportation and during the climbing
operation, the invention proposes that the supporting column (10) has at
least one channel-shaped surface depression (36, 38) extending in the
longitudinal direction of the column, in which depression can be sunk
that part of the conveying line (16) which extends over the supporting
column (10), and/or an elongate part of the climbing apparatus (52).

Claims:

1-34. (canceled)

35. A concrete-distributing arrangement with a climbing mast, which has a
supporting column (10) for accommodating a concrete-conveying line (16),
wherein the supporting column (10) has at least two column sections (18,
20', 20''), which are in the form of rectangular tubes, are detachably
interconnected at their end faces and are provided with channel-shaped
surface depressions (36, 38) extending in the longitudinal direction of
the column on two diametrically opposite side faces for accommodating
elongate operating elements (16, 46), the concrete-conveying line being
accommodated in one of the surface depressions.

36. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 35, wherein
at least one of the surface depressions (36, 38) has a U-shaped or
V-shaped inner profile.

37. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 35, wherein
retaining elements (42) for securing the concrete-conveying line (16) are
sunk in one of the surface depressions (36, 38).

38. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 35, wherein
an elongate climbing rail (46) of a climbing apparatus is sunk in one of
the surface depressions (36, 38).

39. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 38, wherein
the climbing apparatus (52) includes a climbing rail (46) fixed to the
supporting column (10), a lower and an upper guide block (54, 56) guided
on the climbing rail (46) and a lifting mechanism (58) supported between
the lower and the upper guide blocks (54, 56), that the lower guide block
(54) has a supporting member (60) facing outwards from the supporting
column (10) and the lower and the upper guide blocks (54, 56) each have a
blocking element (62, 64) that is optionally couplable to the climbing
rail (46).

40. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the climbing rail (56) has several window openings (44) positioned spaced
apart, and that the blocking elements are pressed against the climbing
rail (46) and are lockable in its window openings (44) and, in so doing,
abut in a blocking manner against the upper edge of the window opening.

41. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the blocking members (62, 64) are lockable in the window openings under
the effect of a spring (66).

42. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the lifting mechanism (58) is in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, the
cylinder and piston rod of which being coupled to each of the guide
blocks (54, 56).

43. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the supporting member (60), which is in the form of a pivoting claw, is
restrictedly pivotable in a selective manner between a displacement
position, preferably pivoted downwards against the guide block, and a
support position protruding outwards.

44. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 39, wherein
the climbing apparatus (52) includes a pulling mechanism (68), which is
positioned in the region of the upper end of the climbing rail (46), said
pulling mechanism being operatively connected via a pulling member (70)
to the guide blocks (54, 66), which, with the blocking elements (62, 64)
unlocked, are guided along the climbing rail (46) and are interconnected
by the lifting mechanism (58).

45. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 44, wherein
the pulling mechanism (68) is in the form of a pull-lift device, more
especially a cable winch or block and pulley.

46. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 35, wherein
at least one supporting element (90), which is pivotable or displaceable
between a displacement position and a support position relative to the
supporting column (10), is positioned at the lowermost column section
(18) that is in the form of a climbing piece.

47. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 35, wherein
the lowermost column section (18) has downwardly facing coupling brackets
(22), which are detachably connected to an X-base (26) that is secured to
the ground.

48. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 35, wherein
the supporting column is a part of a height-adjustable
concrete-distributing mast, which has a rotary unit (12) and an arm
assembly (14) that is in the form of an articulated boom and that the
concrete-conveying line (16) is guided over the height of the supporting
column (10) to the arm assembly (14) and beyond the arm assembly.

49. The concrete-distributing arrangement as claimed in claim 48, wherein
the concrete-distributing mast with its supporting column (10) reaches
through openings (50', 50'', 50''') in completed storey floors (48',
48'', 48''') and is guided at guide plates fixed in the opening corners.

Description:

[0001]The invention relates to an arrangement for conveying concrete for
the construction of multi-storey concrete buildings, said arrangement
including a concrete-distributing mast, which is height-adjustable on
completed parts of the building, said mast comprising a supporting
column, a rotary unit and an arm assembly that is preferably designed as
an articulated boom, and including a conveying line, which is guided over
the height of the supporting column to the arm assembly and is impinged
upon with liquid concrete.

[0002]An arrangement of this type with a height-adjustable
concrete-distributing mast is known, where the supporting column, in the
form of a tubular column, is constructed in a free-standing manner on an
X-base at the start of the building work and, from there, initially two
floors of the building are concreted. Floor apertures, through which the
tubular column reaches, are formed in the formwork. Each floor aperture
is equipped with automatically pivotable ratchets and with accommodating
means for a hydraulic climbing apparatus. The hydraulic climbing
apparatus comprises at least one hydraulic cylinder, at least one claw
guided at the tubular column and automatically pivotable ratchets for the
climbing operation. Once the first two floors with their floor apertures
have been concreted, the climbing can begin. In this case, the tubular
column is gradually displaced over one floor height at a time. In
addition, after a total predetermined climbing lift, an extension piece
of corresponding length has to be inserted into the conveying line. In
the case of known climbing masts of this type (U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,226,955B1
and DE 4,200,669A1), the concrete-conveying line and the climbing
apparatus are guided upwards to the arm assembly outside the supporting
column, which in the majority of cases is in the form of a cylindrical
column. This requires additional precautionary measures in the region of
the floor aperture and when moving the supporting columns and these are
deemed to be disadvantageous.

[0003]Proceeding from this point, it is the object of the invention to
develop an arrangement for conveying concrete with a height-adjustable
concrete-distributing mast, said arrangement enabling simplification of
movement and simpler handling in the course of the climbing operation at
the building.

[0004]To achieve this object, the feature combinations specified in claims
1, 11, 20 and 26 are proposed. Advantageous developments and further
developments of the invention proceed from the dependent claims.

[0005]The solution according to the invention proceeds primarily from the
concept that the handling of the climbing mast in the course of the
climbing operation can be simplified in that the concrete-conveying line,
which extends over the supporting column, and/or the climbing apparatus
are sunk within the contour of the supporting portion, but are
nevertheless positioned so as to be easily accessible. In order to
achieve this, the invention proposes that the supporting column has at
least one channel-shaped surface depression extending in the longitudinal
direction of the column, in which, above all, the part of the conveying
line extending over the supporting column can be sunk but still be
positioned in an easily accessible manner. In an advantageous manner, the
supporting column has an additional second channel-shaped surface
depression, in which an elongate climbing apparatus of the climbing mast
with climbing rail can be positioned. The two channel-shaped surface
depressions, in this case, are expediently positioned on diametrically
opposite sides of the surface of the supporting column.

[0006]A preferred development of the invention provides that the
supporting column is composed of two column sections, which are
detachably interconnected at the end face and have merging channel-shaped
surface depressions in the region of the coupling point.

[0007]The climbing mast reaches with its supporting column expediently
through apertures in the completed storey floors, the cross-sectional
opening of said apertures being adapted and being somewhat oversized, and
is supported so as to be height-adjustable at the boundary edges of said
storey floors. Strength-increasing metal plates can be employed at the
aperture edge for this purpose. For support, supporting ratchets or
supporting journals are provided on a special climbing piece of the
supporting column, it being possible to support the said ratchets or
journals on the next lowermost storey floor after a climbing operation by
lowering the supporting column.

[0008]Another preferred development of the invention provides that the
supporting column or its column sections are in the form of rectangular
tubes, and that the channel-shaped surface depressions are integrally
formed in two oppositely situated side faces of the rectangular tubes.
The surface depressions, in this case, can have a U-shaped or V-shaped
inner profile.

[0009]According to an advantageous or alternative development of the
invention, the concrete-distributing mast has a climbing apparatus, which
includes a climbing rail fixed to the supporting column, a lower and an
upper guide block guided on the climbing rail and a lifting mechanism
supported between the lower and the upper guide block, the lower guide
block having a supporting member facing outwards from the supporting
column and the lower and the upper guide blocks each having a blocking
element that is selectively couplable to the climbing rail. A preferred
development of the invention provides that the climbing rail has several
window openings positioned spaced apart, and that the blocking element is
pressed against the climbing rail and is lockable at the level of the
window openings in said window openings and there abuts in a blocking
manner against the upper edge of the window opening with an upwardly
facing stopping edge. The blocking element locks expediently into one of
the window openings under the effect of a spring.

[0010]The lifting mechanism is advantageously in the form of a hydraulic
cylinder, the cylinder and piston rod of which being connected to the
lower and the upper guide block. The supporting member of the lower guide
block is advantageously in the form of a pivoting claw, which is
restrictedly pivotable in a selective manner between a displacement
position, pivoted downwards against the guide block, and a support
position, protruding outwards.

[0011]Another preferred development of the invention provides that the
climbing apparatus includes a pulling mechanism that is positioned in the
region of the upper end of the climbing rail, said pulling mechanism
being operatively connected via a pulling member to the guide blocks,
which, with the blocking elements unlocked, are guided along the climbing
rail and are interconnected by the lifting mechanism.

[0012]Another preferred development provides that at least one supporting
element, which is pivotable or displaceable between a displacement
position and a support position, is positioned at the lowermost column
section. Expediently, the lowermost column also has downwardly protruding
coupling brackets, which are detachably connected to an X-base that is
secured to the ground.

[0013]The achievement of these measures is that the concrete-distributing
mast can be moved upwards in a gradual manner, with the supporting member
of the lower guide block supported on a storey floor and with entrainment
of the supporting column by the upper guide block that is locked into a
window opening by its blocking member. In the extended end position of
the lifting mechanism, the blocking member of the lower guide block locks
into a window opening, so that the lifting mechanism can be moved back
again with the upper guide block for the next lifting step, whilst the
supporting column is retained by the lower guide block by its blocking
member. This operation is repeated until the lower column section with
its supporting element is situated above the next storey floor and can be
locked in position there by securing the supporting column. In this
position, the entire climbing apparatus, comprising the two guide blocks
and the lifting mechanism situated therebetween, can be pulled upwards
along the climbing rail through the aperture in the relevant storey floor
with the aid of the pulling mechanism and can then be supported on the
said storey floor by extending the supporting member that is situated at
the lower guide block. The next storey floor can then be concreted from
this position. To this end, the supporting column is wedged and secured
in the apertures of the storey floors against tipping over.

[0014]The invention also relates to a supporting column for a climbing
mast of a stationary concrete-distributing arrangement, which has at
least one surface depression extending in the longitudinal direction of
the column for accommodating elongate operating elements, such as
conveying lines, climbing apparatuses or hydraulic lines and electric
cabling. Accordingly, retaining elements are positioned in the surface
depressions for securing a conveying line of an elongate climbing
apparatus or corresponding operating elements.

[0015]The invention is described in more detail below by way of an
exemplary embodiment represented in a schematic manner in the drawing. In
which:

[0016]FIGS. 1a and b show a diagrammatic representation of a
height-adjustable concrete-distributing mast with an X-base, in the
starting position, with views of the tubing side and the side of the
climbing apparatus;

[0017]FIGS. 1c and d show a diagrammatic representation of the
concrete-distributing mast reaching with its supporting column through
apertures of previously concreted storey floors, in the raised position
as opposed to the starting position, with views of the tubing side and
the side of the climbing apparatus;

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a column section of
the concrete-distributing mast with integrated conveying line;

[0019]FIGS. 3a and b show two side views of the column sections in FIG. 2,
rotated by 90° one relative to the other;

[0021]FIGS. 5a and b show two side views of a supporting column, which is
standing on an X-base and is composed of three column sections, with
rotary unit but no articulated boom;

[0022]FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic, exploded representation of the
individual parts of the supporting column with rotary unit;

[0023]FIGS. 7a to c show a cutout from the climbing mast during the
raising of the climbing apparatus, with three positions of the guide
block, with the lifting mechanism between two storey floors;

[0024]FIG. 7d shows a top view of the climbing mast with channel-shaped
surface depressions for accommodating the conveying line and the climbing
apparatus;

[0025]FIGS. 8a to c show a side view and two diagrammatic representations
of the climbing apparatus;

[0026]FIG. 8d shows a diagrammatic representation of a cutout of the
supporting column with climbing apparatus;

[0027]FIGS. 9a and b show a cutout from the upper or lower guide block,
with the blocking ratchet in the blocking position and in the release
position.

[0028]The height-adjustable, concrete-distributing mast, represented in
the drawing, comprises essentially a supporting column 10, a rotary unit
12 positioned at the upper end of the supporting column 10, an arm
assembly 14 in the form of an articulated boom and a conveying line 16,
which is guided over the height of the supporting column 10 to the arm
assembly 14 and is impinged upon with liquid concrete. The supporting
column 10, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has three column sections
18, 20', 20'', which are essentially in the form of rectangular tubes,
which are rigidly interconnected at their end face ends in alignment with
one another at axially protruding plates 22 by means of bolts 24. The
lower, shorter column section 18, in this case, forms a climbing piece,
which, at the start of the building work, is secured to an X-base 26 in
the region of a bedplate 28. The two longer column sections 20', 20'' are
placed in position one after the other. A ladder, composed of a base
ladder 30' and two ladder elements 30'', 30''' provided with a protective
cage, is secured to the outer side of the upper column section 20''. The
ladder opens out into a working platform 32 situated at the upper end of
the upper supporting column 10. The rotary unit 12 is situated at the end
face end of the upper column section 20'', the arm assembly 14, via which
the conveying line 16 is guided to an end hose, being mounted on said
rotary unit.

[0029]A characteristic feature of the invention is that the supporting
column 10, with its column sections 18, 20', 20'', has, in the region of
two oppositely situated side walls, in each case a channel-shaped surface
depression 36, 38, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the
column and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has a V-shaped inner
profile (cf. FIGS. 2, 4 and 7d). One of the two surface depressions 36 is
intended for accommodating the tube sections 40 that form the conveying
line 16 in the assembled state, said tube sections being positioned at
tube supports 42 such that they are completely sunk into the surface
depression 36 (cf. FIGS. 4 and 7d). The surface depressions 36, 38 are
also suitable for accommodating supply lines and, in the case of the
longer, lower column section 20', for accommodating a climbing apparatus
52 with elongate climbing rail 46 provided with window openings 44.

[0030]At the start of the building work, the distributing mast with its
supporting column 10 is free-standing on the X-base 20 (FIGS. 1a and b).
Two floors 48, 48'' of the building are concreted initially from that
position. Floor apertures 50', 50'' are admitted in the formwork and the
supporting column 10 reaches through said apertures. As an alternative to
this, it is possible to prefabricate the first two floors 48', 48'' of
the building, for example using an automatic concreting pump, and to
place the two pre-assembled column sections 18, 20' onto the X-base 20
through the floor apertures 50', 50'' and to connect them to said base.
The upper column section 20'', to which the ladder 30', 30'', 30'' and at
least a part of the working platform 32 has been attached beforehand, can
then be placed onto the upper edge of the column section 20' and finally
equipped with the arm assembly 14. In both cases, the third storey floor
48''' is concreted from the starting position.

[0031]The first two storey floors 48', 48'', in the region of the
apertures 50', 50'', ensure that the supporting column 10 can be held in
its vertical orientation. During the concreting of a new storey floor
48''', the supporting column is secured to the storey floors 48', 48'' by
wedges in the region of the apertures 50', 50'.

[0032]Once the third floor 48''', with its aperture 50''', has also been
concreted, the climbing can be started. To this end, first of all the
wedging is removed from the apertures 50', 50''. In addition, the
supporting column 10 is separated from the X-base 20 before the first
lifting movement. Thereupon the supporting column 10 is gradually
displaced upwards above the respective lowest floor height. This is
effected with the aid of a climbing apparatus 52, which includes a
climbing rail 46 that is positioned in a surface depression 38 of the
column section 20', a lower and an upper guide block 54, 46 guided on the
climbing rail 46 and a lifting mechanism 58, which is positioned between
the lower and the upper guide blocks and is in the form of a hydraulic
cylinder. The lower guide block 54 has a supporting member 60, in the
form of a pivoting claw, which is pivotable in a limited manner between a
displacement position, pivoted down against the guide block (FIG. 8b),
and a support position, protruding outwards (FIGS. 8c and d). In
addition, the lower and the upper guide blocks 54, 56 have a ratchet-like
blocking member 62, 64, which is selectively couplable to the climbing
rail 46 in the region of the window opening 44. Each blocking member 62,
64 is pressed against the climbing rail under the effect of a spring 66
so that they lock into the window opening 44 of the climbing rail 46 and
there can abut, in a blocking manner, against the upper edge of the
window opening. The climbing apparatus, with the lifting mechanism 58 and
the blocking members 62, 64 positioned at the guide blocks 54, 56,
enables the supporting column to be lifted along the climbing rail 46 in
a gradual manner.

[0033]In order to ensure precise guiding in the region of the apertures,
guide plates 76 with rectangular ratchets 78 are secured to the storey
floors at the aperture corners, the supporting column 10 being guided in
its end region at said ratchets. The surface depressions 36, 38 are
slightly offset inwards for this purpose so that the surface regions
adjacent to the edges of the ratchets 78 extend parallel to the ratchets
(cf. FIG. 7b). The wedges 80 provided for wedging the supporting column
10 are also positioned there (FIGS. 7a to d).

[0034]In the climbing operation, the lower guide block is supported, with
the aid of its supporting member 60, on the respectively lowest storey
floor, whilst the upper guide block 56 locks into a window opening 44 of
the climbing rail 46 with its blocking member 62. Thereupon the lifting
cylinder of the lifting mechanism 58 is impinged upon with pressure oil,
so that the upper guide block 46 is moved upwards entraining the
supporting column 10. In the upper end position of the lifting mechanism
58, the blocking member 64 of the lower guide block 54 locks into an
adjacent window opening of the climbing rail under the effect of the
associated spring 66 and secures the supporting column in its raised
position, whilst the upper guide block 46 is moved back down again by the
lifting mechanism 58 and with its blocking member 64 once again locks
into a window opening 44. Thereupon another lifting step is triggered.
This operation is repeated until the lowermost column section 18 of the
supporting column reaches through the aperture 50' of the relevant storey
floor 48 with its supporting element 90. There the supporting element 90
is extended and from that point onwards takes over the supporting of the
concrete-distributing mast whilst the next storey floor is concreted.

[0035]Before the concreting operation, the supporting column is once again
wedged in the apertures 50'', 50''' of the floors 48'', 48''' and the
guide blocks 54, 56, together with the lifting mechanism 85 of the
climbing apparatus, are pulled upwards by one storey through the aperture
50'' in the storey floor 48'' (FIGS. 7a to c). For this purpose, the
climbing apparatus 52 has a pulling mechanism 68, which, in the exemplary
embodiment shown, is in the form of a cable winch, which is secured in
the upper region of the climbing rail 38 and is operatively connected to
the guide blocks 54, 56 and the lifting mechanism 85 by means of a
hauling cable 70. In order to be able to pull the guide blocks 54, 56
upwards, the blocking members 62, 64 have to be pulled into their pivoted
position, which can be effected, for example, in opposition to the force
of the springs 66 by means of the hauling cable 70 using a pivoting lever
74 that is situated in the guide blocks (FIGS. 9a and b). The guide
blocks 54, 56, positioned sunk in the surface depression 38 of the
associated column section 20', together with lifting mechanism 58 pass
through the essentially rectangular apertures 50', 50'', 50''' of the
storey floors. During the raising operation, the supporting member 60 in
the lower guide block 54 is pivoted downward so that it also passes
through the relevant aperture. In the end position pulled upward, the
supporting member 60 is pivoted outwards again and lowered onto the
storey floor. Consequently, the lifting mechanism is ready for another
lifting movement of the concrete-distributing mast as soon as the next
storey floor, with aperture, has been completely concreted. The lifting
operation can be repeated in an arbitrary manner until the final storey
floor is completed. Finally, the open floor apertures 50' 50'', 50''' are
closed by means of a concrete cover.

[0036]The following must be emphasized in summary: The invention relates
to an arrangement for conveying concrete for the construction of
multi-storey concrete buildings. The arrangement includes a
concrete-distributing mast, which is height-adjustable on completed parts
of the building, for example on storey floors 48', 48', 48''', said mast
comprising a supporting column 10, a rotary unit 12 and an arm assembly
14 that is preferably in the form of an articulated boom, and including a
conveying line 16, which is guided over the height of the supporting
column 10 to the arm assembly 14 and is impinged upon with liquid
concrete. In order to simplify handling of the concrete-distributing mast
during movement and during the climbing operation, the invention proposes
that the supporting column 10 has at least one channel-shaped surface
depression 36, 38 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the
column, it being possible for the part of the conveying line 16 that
extends over the supporting column 10 and/or an elongate part of the
climbing apparatus 52 to be sunk in said surface depression.

Patent applications by Dietmar Fuegel, Wolfschlugen DE

Patent applications by Martin Mayer, Reutlingen DE

Patent applications in class APPARATUS FOR MOVING MATERIAL TO A POSITION IN THE ERECTION OR REPAIR OF A BUILDING

Patent applications in all subclasses APPARATUS FOR MOVING MATERIAL TO A POSITION IN THE ERECTION OR REPAIR OF A BUILDING